Tag: lucid dream

This blog is about common dreams. Did you know a hand has 34 muscles and only 17 of them are located at the palm of the hand?

Just like a hand is necessary in life, your dream muscles need exercise at a regular basis. And just like the hand, most of your dream muscles are not located in you dreams but in your daily life.

Reading this article is an excellent first step. Sign up to follow Mindfunda (on the left side) will keep you informed about dreams and all its creative perks.

In this blog I will mention the most common dreams. But don’t take my word for it! You need to keep those dream muscles exercised.

Common Dreams: #1: Back to School

We have all had these dreams where we are back at school, usually to do an exam we have not prepared for.

The common interpretation you read for those types of dreams is that you “have to learn something”. Life is all about learning.

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Cartoon: Calvin & Hobbes

Ask yourself: “Is my life getting boring?” (remember how bored you were at school?).

“Am I too perfectionist?” Because you keep asking yourself to perform tests, even when you dream. Yes people dream about the things that they do every day!

Sit down, envision the dream and the mark you will get on that exam. What does that say about you?

Common Dreams: #2: Being Naked

We all had these dreams were you walk around and discover that you are inappropriately dressed. Body parts peeping out of clothes, no clothes at all. You discover it all of a sudden and most of the time wake up.

The most common interpretation is that you feel exposed. You have been too open.

Cartoon: Ged Backland

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Ask yourself: “Is there something that wants/need to get born?”. You are naked at vital moments in your life. When you are born. When you sleep. When you have sex.

Ask yourself: “Am I warm enough?” Emotionally as well as physically?

Ask yourself: “How do I feel about my body?” Is there something you should or could change about the perception of your own body?

Common Dreams: #3: Sex

You have a wild sexy dream. And when it is about an ex, you can be very confused about it. Does this dream mean you made a mistake and want him/her back?

Usually, sex dreams are interpreted as wanting to be closer to the thing your sex partner represents to you.

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Ask yourself: when I dream about an ex: is there something new being born in my life right now? Each relationship is the beginning of a new adventure. And when you dream about an old adventure, there is a big change a new adventure (not necessarily a relationship) might be waiting for you just around the corner.

Did you know that people who are confronted with upcoming death on a regular basis like soldier are more likely to conduct in an inappropriate sexual manner? Ask yourself: Is there reason to increase the life-juice in me right now? Does the dream give you any clues in how you should do that?

Common Dreams: #5: Teeth Falling Out

One of the most common dreams is about your teeth falling out. You can dream that it is lose in your mouth and you try to put it back in vain. the most common interpretation is that you need to get your tooth into something.

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Are you grinding your teeth at night? It can be the case of teeth dreams. And you should get it checked. Tooth grinding is the way your body uses to give you some air. If your partner tells you that you are grinding your teeth, you probably have a (mild) form of sleep apnea you should have checked out.

When you lie down, your tongue falls back and can block your breathing. If this happens once, there is no danger in it, but when it happens on a regular basis you might want to have it checked out before you explore if you need something to put your teeth into.

Common Dreams: #6: Flying

Often, as soon as you drift off in a hypnagogic sleep stage, right before you fall asleep, you feel your body falling or flying.

Because the tension in your muscles decreases once you fall asleep, you experience the sense of falling or flying.

The common dream interpretation is that you want to let go of something. You are not “grounded”.

Cartoon: Via 9gag.co

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Ask yourself: Is this my invitation to a lucid dream? Lots of lucid dreamers have told me that they have developed the ability to stay conscious during a dream by flying conscious into a desired dream situation.

When awake, sit down and let your imaginative mind take you places. Be surprised at your own creative images.

Common Dreams: #7: Toilet

You have to use the bathroom, urgently and it is either already possessed or you can not find it.

Usually, the common interpretation is that you need to let go of something, you need to release.

Cartoon: Piraro

But let’s now exercise those dream muscles!

Did you know that in alchemy poop was a sign of transformation? That is right. The old alchemical wizards tried to turn feces into gold (recently a guy tried to do the same).

Ask yourself: is there something in my life right now that needs to be transformed?

THIS CONTENT IS CREATED BY SUSANNE VAN DOORN, AUTHOR AND OWNER OF MINDFUNDA; MAKING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PSYCHOLOGY, MYTHOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY EASY TO USE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE!

What is Mindfunda about?

My name is Susanne van Doorn, I am a Dutch psychologist, blogger and author. I have been working with psychology, dreams and mythology ever since I finished my study in psychology at Tilburg University. I made this independent site to share insights, and recent scientific articles about the brain, dreams, and mythology for use in your personal life.

This posting is categorised as Dreamfunda:
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Q & A: Questions and Answers about dreams, mythology and spirituality. As your trusted advisor on the subject of dreams, spirituality and mythology I have compiled a list of the questions people usually ask me about dreams, the meaning of dreams, mythology and spirituality.

Q & A #1: What does my dream mean?

There are several ways you can use to attach meaning to a dream. Non of them is 100 % accurate. Because it is all a question of interpretation. That is why people who try to help you attach a meaning to your dream always say that a dream is ‘layered”: it has multiple layers of possible meanings attached into all its symbolism.

I always consider dreams a kind of Rorschach test. You have vague images and you project your own meaning into them. The one problem people can encounter using this method, is that people usually get stuck into their own interpretation of the world. That is why I always encourage seeking an objective opinion when you have the feeling that a dream has a significant meaning.

Calvin & Hobbes Cartoon

Q & A #2: What book do you recommend to help me figure out what my dream means?

There are a number of techniques to teach yourself to be aware that you are dreaming while you are in a dream. The famous “hand” technique” as mentioned by Carlos Casteneda. Your hands are always with you. So when you look at your hands while awake and asking yourself if you are dreaming is going to create a habit in which you will ask yourself that question while you are dreaming. In your dreams, your hands look odd: sometimes they fade away, sometimes you see extra fingers. This can be a trigger to induce a lucid dream.

There are many techniques and supplements that help increase vividness of dreams and therefore will make lucid dreaming more probable. Galantamine, commonly used for patients suffering from Alzheimer, is one of them. There are some good books about lucid dreaming. Robert Waggoner is one of the best and most knowledgable teachers in lucid dreaming. I can also recommend the book “Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming” of Stephen LaBerge, that I used myself.

Q & A #4: Are There Ways to Improve my Dream Memory?

People often tell me that their partner remembers dreams all the time, but it never happens to them. Here are some things you can do about it. Drink water during the evening. That way you will probably wake up and have to go to the bathroom in the night. Waking up encourages dream memory. Another tip is to wake up early. Tell yourself that you are going to wake up at a certain time and ask yourself what was happening. Try to “walk back” in your mind and see if this triggers any memories about your dream.

eBook: 10 ways to improve dream memory – Mindfunda

Write down a story, any story that comes into your mind early upon awakening. your mind will get used to it and you will start to recall and write down your dreams very soon. Want more tips? Download my free ebook.

Q & A #5: How Much Sleep do I need?

This varies from person to person. There are people who function well with little sleep. For example: Margret Thatcher was famous for her short nights. But on average people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. When you suffer from sleeplessness it is usually caused by medicine, food or illness. You can read much more about sleep in this blog.

Q & A #6: Does the way I Sleep influence the Content of my Dreams?

Research done by Hong Shue Yan indicated that if you sleep on your stomach, you will get more sexual orientated dreams. Another research indicated that sleeping on your left side can lead to more nightmares. Sleeping on your right side induced more pleasant dreams.

When you sleep and take care that you are not lying down, but sitting up, you try to stay conscious while dreaming. I have even heard of people who sleep in carton boxes to induce this kind of dreaming. It is called Tibetan Dream Yoga. Falling asleep this way should retain your consciousness during sleep and induce lucid dreaming.

Q & A #7: Why do I never have a Big, Meaningful Mythological Dream?

I am convinced that everyone has those big dreams. You might not have remembered them. You might not have recognised them. How do you spot a mythological theme in a dream? Answer the question: where am I in waking life on the path of the hero?

Determine the adventures that are calling you. Usually we don’t want to hear the call. In your dreams you are in the “special world”. If you read the archetypical dream I recently analysed, you know it is mythological. But there are mythological themes in ordinary dreams as well. You only have to know how to look for them.

Ask yourself some questions if you want to discover the mythological content of your dreams:

Is your dream about Love or about Power?

Is your dream about Heaven or Earth?

Is your dream about Life-Death-Resurrection?

If the answer to one of the questions is yes, you are sure there is a mythological theme that lies at the foundation of the dream. If you want more knowledge about mythology and dreams my own online course treats six subjects: creation, animals, woman, men, trickster and the grail. Each lesson has a multitude of questions regarding your own dreams that will make you see your dreams in a new light.

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THIS CONTENT IS CREATED BY SUSANNE VAN DOORN, AUTHOR AND OWNER OF MINDFUNDA; MAKING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PSYCHOLOGY, MYTHOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY EASY TO USE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE!

What is Mindfunda about?

My name is Susanne van Doorn, I am a Dutch psychologist, blogger and author. I have been working with psychology, dreams and mythology ever since I finished my study in psychology at Tilburg University. I made this independant site to share insights, and recent scientific articles about the brain, dreams, and mythology for use in your personal life.

This posting is categorised as Dreamfunda:
Everything you need to know about dreams. Practical How to’s, the latest scientific research, the most commonly used ways to attach meaning to dreams. This and more is given to you for your everyday use in this part of Mindfunda

Comments or suggestions? Share your thoughts:

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Subject

Your Message

We hate Spam as much as you do, your information is safe with us and we will not provide your data to others. To authenticate you are human, you are kindly asked to opt-in on periodic updates as the Mindfunda Monthly.